5.5 Metre Class World Championship at Yacht Club de l’Odet: A Premier Sailing Event
5.5 Metre Class World Championship at Yacht Club de l’Odet – Overall
29 August – 7 September 2024
Despite not securing a race win, Ku-Ring-Gai III (John Bacon, Joost Houweling, and Edward Wright) demonstrated remarkable consistency in a highly competitive fleet marked by a spirit of camaraderie.
Bacon’s team was the only one to record only top-five finishes, while another boat, Artemis (Kristian Nergaard, Johan Barne, and Trond Solli-Saether), also maintained a top-10 scoreline throughout the championship. However, the overall victory was uncertain for Ku-Ring-Gai III as they faced a disqualification due to a start line infringement under the U flag in the second race. Consequently, unlike many leading teams, they did not have the option to discard a less favorable race score later in the series.
“We had no room for error today, and there was a lot of wind,” said Bacon. “We had two solid races, with a few moments where things didn’t seem promising. Overall, we performed well in the steady breeze and rain. The previous races were lighter, but we adapted and excelled even in the heavier conditions.”
“After five or six years in 5.5s, I can hardly believe we just won a world championship,” he expressed. “I owe this achievement to my fantastic crew, who got me off the start line and helped me shine. It was an incredible regatta, featuring 10 races across various weather conditions.”
The Jean Genie (Peter Morton, Andrew Palfrey, Ruairidh Scott) thrived in today’s stronger winds, winning both races decisively, becoming the only boat to secure three race victories during the championship. “After spending 12 days here, we finally got the conditions we prefer, with 16-17 knots of breeze,” Morton shared. “It was a bit rainy and chilly, but the breeze made up for it. We felt comfortable, especially in the second race.”
In the second race, a significant wind shift favored The Jean Genie. “At the top mark, Artemis was close behind, but we managed a solid lead by the end of the run,” Morton noted. However, this performance did not elevate The Jean Genie to a podium spot, finishing the regatta in fifth place overall.
Two second-place finishes today propelled Artemis to second place overall, trailing Ku-Ring-Gai III by eight points. Although Artemis did not win a race, they were impressively consistent with five podium finishes and never finished outside the top eight.
“It’s been a lengthy week with diverse conditions,” said Nergaard. “We experienced light winds and a few days of good pressure, but today was noticeably heavier. John Bacon’s team was vulnerable due to their black flag penalty on the first day, but they maintained impressive consistency and made smart choices, especially in light airs.”
Aspire (Przemek Gacek, Mateusz Kusznierewicz, and Kilian Weise) triumphed in third place overall during Gacek’s first world championship as helm, while Ali Baba (Flavio Marazzi, Julie Marazzi, and Eline Marazzi) secured fourth place.
The accolade for the first Corinthian team was awarded to John B (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn Johannessen, and Mathias Dahlman), with Marie-Françoise XXII (Jürg Menzi, Jürgen Eiermann, and Kim Chabani) finishing second and Shaolin (Patrick Zaugg, Andreas Kindlimann, and Hans von Werdt) third.
Manuela V (Guido Tommasi, Matteo Barison, and Andrea Racchelli) led the classic fleet with a boat he restored over two decades. ChlikaChlikaChlika (Antonin Radue, Pascal Radue, and Patrick Huguenin) triumphed in the Evolution division, finishing ahead of another Ali Baba (Wolf-Eberhard Richter, Beata Kallkowski, and Joerg Gruenwald) and Joker (Adrien Polaillon, Eric Polaillon, and Jean-Baptiste Polaillon).
“This project is about youth learning about boats and restoring a classic,” remarked Pascal Radue regarding ChlikaChlikaChlika. “This boat was a former world champion from 1989, which hadn’t been properly sailed for 25 years. Together with my two sons and a group of young people, we refurbished it at a newly established boatyard, where they gained valuable experience. Competing in a 5.5 Metre regatta like this has been an incredible experience in a stunning location with excellent organization.”
Next year’s 5.5 Metre world championship will take place in Sopot, Poland, organized by Przemek Gacek, the helm of Aspire this year, while the 2026 event is scheduled for Athens.
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.